Re: testicle shrinkage

July 2, 2004

Over the last couple years (I'm 40 now), I've noticed my testicles

have noticeably gotten smaller to the point that whenever I exercise

my testicles are completely drawn up into my body (also happens

during any sexual activity as well). Over the last year I've had to

fight depression as well (which I have never had before). I continue

to have erections but have a very noticeable decrease in libido.

I've noticed that my testicles seem to have loss mass/weight. Has

anyone here ever experience this? (I've also had changes in my

ejaculate where it used to be thick and white, it is now clear and

very watery). I went to a urologist 2 years ago when this started

but he said it was normal and without doing any tests sent me on my

way (with a lovely prostate exam, of course ((gag!)) )

Are these symptoms of just getting older or has anyone here

experienced it with loss of testosterone?

July 2, 2004

Hi,

Been on TRT using hormone pellets for more than 10 years and they are

about the size of large grapes now. One had been damaged by

stangulation when a teen but had 4 kids with the good one.

After they stopped giving me enough hormone I wasn't upset that the

therapy caused them to shrink. Considering the benefits of TRT it was

the right thing to do.

My endocrinologist provides all sorts of forms of TRT including the

gels, patches and injectibles as some people do not want to have the

pellets installed under the skin.

He says he can not usually get the levels of T high enough for them to

enjoy the benefits from these other alternatives and after several

months, only 45% the patients continue. About 65% continue then they

started using the pellets.

I prefer the pellets so I don't have any daily involvement with the

therapy.

Maybe you aren't getting enough T.

ernestnolan

>

> Over the last couple years (I'm 40 now), I've noticed my testicles

> have noticeably gotten smaller to the point that whenever I exercise

> my testicles are completely drawn up into my body (also happens

> during any sexual activity as well). Over the last year I've had to

> fight depression as well (which I have never had before). I continue

> to have erections but have a very noticeable decrease in libido.

> I've noticed that my testicles seem to have loss mass/weight. Has

> anyone here ever experience this? (I've also had changes in my

> ejaculate where it used to be thick and white, it is now clear and

> very watery). I went to a urologist 2 years ago when this started

> but he said it was normal and without doing any tests sent me on my

> way (with a lovely prostate exam, of course ((gag!)) )

>

> Are these symptoms of just getting older or has anyone here

> experienced it with loss of testosterone?

July 2, 2004

I was hoping someone could tell me if before being diagnosed if they

had had any of these symptoms. My testicles are now about the size

of a medium sized to large grape. They used to be about the size of

a small chicken egg. I know it sounds almost ludicrous to make

comparisons like that. I've read on the internet that there are

times when some guys have to have surgery to prevent their testicles

from retracting into their abdomen.

I read on this forum a lot about what people are going through AFTER

they've been diagnosed but not what led to them being diagnosed or

what led them to seek treatment. Was it ED, being tired or what?

I'm trying to find out if anyone has had any symptoms like mine?

July 2, 2004

Hi kenjas,

It isn't your age. Something's wrong, and low T is highly suspect.

Your regular doctor can order basic tests (serum T and free T at

a minimum). If results confirm low T, you should try to find a

KNOWLEDGEABLE endocrinologist to first check for possible

causes. Where do you live? We might be able to recommend

someone. Oh, and learn to love the prostate test, it saved my life.

Best,

Bruce

>

> Over the last couple years (I'm 40 now), I've noticed my

testicles

> have noticeably gotten smaller to the point that whenever I

exercise

> my testicles are completely drawn up into my body (also

happens

> during any sexual activity as well). Over the last year I've had to

> fight depression as well (which I have never had before). I

continue

> to have erections but have a very noticeable decrease in libido.

> I've noticed that my testicles seem to have loss mass/weight.

Has

> anyone here ever experience this? (I've also had changes in

my

> ejaculate where it used to be thick and white, it is now clear

and

> very watery). I went to a urologist 2 years ago when this started

> but he said it was normal and without doing any tests sent me

on my

> way (with a lovely prostate exam, of course ((gag!)) )

>

> Are these symptoms of just getting older or has anyone here

> experienced it with loss of testosterone?

July 2, 2004

Hi,

I didn't have the pronounced testicular symptoms you described.

Extremely low libido was what led to tests confirming

hypogonadism. I did have an endocrinologist who measured my

nuts by holding them in one hand and comparing them to a set

of oval wooden beads on a string. Unsettling. I didn't make the

obvious rosary joke, 'cause I'm sure he'd heard it before. Anyway,

IMO you should see an endocrinologist. The trick is to find a

good one. Your experience with your urologist tells you a medical

specialty doesn't guarantee competence.

Best of luck,

Bruce

> I was hoping someone could tell me if before being diagnosed

if they

> had had any of these symptoms. My testicles are now about

the size

> of a medium sized to large grape. They used to be about the

size of

> a small chicken egg. I know it sounds almost ludicrous to

make

> comparisons like that. I've read on the internet that there are

> times when some guys have to have surgery to prevent their

testicles

> from retracting into their abdomen.

>

> I read on this forum a lot about what people are going through

AFTER

> they've been diagnosed but not what led to them being

diagnosed or

> what led them to seek treatment. Was it ED, being tired or

what?

> I'm trying to find out if anyone has had any symptoms like

mine?

July 3, 2004

My shrinking testicles were one reason I sought care. I was absolutely dogged

in getting answers (and am not yet done). I was diagnosed with iron overload

(hemochromatosis) which caused my pituitary to shut down and my testicles to

shrink. I am not having much luck getting them back up to size. I guess no

speedos for me.

In a message dated 7/2/2004 3:44:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

kenjas98@... writes: